Determination of Reference Intervals for Umbilical Cord Arterial and Venous Blood Gas Analysis of Healthy Thoroughbred Foals

Although umbilical cord blood gas analysis is the best way to assess in utero oxygenation in human neonates, there is limited evaluation of this method in equine neonatology. Our objectives were to assess the practicality of obtaining umbilical cord blood gas samples in the field, and to determine umbilical cord arterial and venous blood gas reference intervals (RI) for healthy, newborn foals. Thoroughbred foals>320 days gestation from healthy mares with uneventful pregnancies at one stud farm were evaluated.

Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: S.S. Jeawon, L.M. Katz, N.P. Galvin, U.M. Fogarty, V.E. Duggan Source Type: research